System and Method for a Wireless Display Low Power Managed Adapter

ABSTRACT

A method for managing wireless data communication links includes establishing first and second wireless data communication links between a host system and a wireless display adapter. The first wireless data communication link is associated with a high data rate of data traffic between the host system and the wireless display adapter, and the second wireless data communication link is associated with a low data rate of data traffic. The method further includes determining that information is to be transmitted between the host system and the wireless display adapter using the low data rate, turning off a first data radio associated with the first wireless data communication link, and transmitting the information over the second wireless data communication link.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/250,312, entitled “System and Method for a Wireless Display Low PowerManaged Adapter,” filed on Sep. 30, 2011, the disclosure of which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to information handlingsystems, and more particularly relates to providing a wireless displaylow power managed adapter.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes.Technology and information handling needs and requirements can varybetween different applications. Thus information handling systems canalso vary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allowinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software resources that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,graphics interface systems, data storage systems, and networkingsystems. Information handling systems can also implement variousvirtualized architectures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relativeto other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings herein,in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a wireless display network according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless display networksimilar to the wireless display network of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing thewireless display network of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a wirelessdisplay network similar to the wireless display networks of FIGS. 1 and2;

FIG. 5 is a state diagram illustrating operating modes implemented onthe wireless display network of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing thewireless display network of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a wirelessdisplay network similar to the wireless display networks of FIGS. 1, 2,and 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing thewireless display network of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The descriptionis focused on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings,and is provided to assist in describing the teachings. This focus shouldnot be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of theteachings. Other teachings can be used in this application, and theteachings can be used in other applications and with different types ofarchitectures, such as a client-server architecture, a distributedcomputing architecture, or a middleware server architecture andassociated resources.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless display network 100 that can include oneor more information handling systems. For purposes of this disclosure,the information handling system may include any instrumentality oraggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process,transmit, receive, store, retrieve, originate, switch, display, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information or datafor business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. Forexample, an information handling system may be a personal computer, aPDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, aswitch router or other network communication device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include memory, one ormore processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic, and operates to execute code.Additional components of the information handling system may include oneor more storage devices that can store code, one or more communicationsports for communicating with external devices, such as wired or wirelesscommunications, various input and output (I/O) devices, such as akeyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling systemmay also include one or more buses operable to transmit communicationsbetween the various hardware components.

In a particular embodiment, wireless display network 100 includes awireless host system 110, a wireless display adapter 120, a display 130,and a storage device 140. Wireless host system 110 is connected towireless display adapter 120 through a wireless data communication link150, display 130 is connected to the wireless display adapter through ahigh definition audio/video cable 160, and storage device 140 isconnected to the wireless display adapter through a high speed datacable 170. Wireless host system 110 is an information handling systemthat includes a wireless communication adapter and that can communicatedata wirelessly to a device that is physically separated from thewireless host system, such as to wireless display adapter 120. Forexample, wireless host system 110 can include a desktop or laptopcomputer with a wireless adapter, a tablet computer, a web enabledcellular telephone such as a smart phone, another form factor of amobile computing device, or a combination thereof.

Wireless host system 110 communicates with wireless display adapter 120via wireless data communication link 150. As such, both wireless hostsystem 110 and wireless display adapter 120 include one or more datacommunication radios adapted to transmit and receive data in accordancewith various wireless data communication protocols for wireless localarea networks (W-LANs) and personal area networks (PANs). The datacommunication radios can be in conformance with various standards forW-LANs and PANs that are created by various trade and industry relatedassociations and interest groups such as the Institute for Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Bluetooth Special Interest Group,the International Society for Automation (ISA), or another associationor special interest group. For example, the data communication radioscan conform to one or more of IEEE 802.11a/b—54 Mbit/s, 5 GHz standard(1999), IEEE 802.11g—54 Mbit/s, 2.4 GHz standard (2003), IEEE802.11n—Multiple input, multiple output antennas (MIMO) (2009), IEEE802.11ac—Very High Throughput <6 GHz (Unpublished), IEEE 802.11ad: VeryHigh Throughput 60 GHz (Unpublished), 802.15.4d—physical layer and mediaaccess control for low-rate wireless PANs (2009), Bluetooth CoreSpecification Version 4.0 (2010), or another wireless data communicationstandard. The data communication radios can also be in conformance withone or more proprietary standards for W-LANs and PANs.

Wireless host system 110 sends content information to wireless displayadapter 120 to be displayed on display 130. In a particular embodiment,wireless host system 110 has a dual monitor capability, and establishesdisplay 130 as a primary display or as a secondary display for thewireless host system when it is within range of wireless display adapter120. In this case, a user of wireless host system 110 can interact withthe content displayed on display 130 to manipulate the activities of thewireless host system. Here, user interface devices such as a keyboardand a mouse can be associated with wireless host system 110 or withwireless display adapter 120 to interact with the displayed content.Wireless host system 110 includes the ability to store and display highdefinition multimedia content such as Blue-ray Disks or High-DefinitionDigital Video Disks (HD DVDs), and display 130 includes the ability todisplay high definition audio and video content. As such, highdefinition audio/video cable 160 can include a high definitionmultimedia interface (HDMI) cable, a Display Port cable, a Cat5/Cat6Ethernet cable using HDBaseT, or another high definition cable, or caninclude analog audio and video cables, or a combination thereof.

Wireless host system 110 also sends data to wireless display adapter 120to be stored on storage device 140. Storage device 140 represents one ormore storage devices such as disk drives, solid state storage devices,other storage devices, or a combination thereof. As such, high speeddata cable 170 can include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface orcable, an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface or cable, an Ethernet cable, aPeripheral Component Interconnect—Express (PCIe) interface or cable, oranother data cable or connection. Wireless host system 110 also receivesdata from wireless display adapter 120. For example, wireless hostsystem 110 can retrieve data from storage device 140, or can receiveextended display identification data (EDID) from display 130.

In operation, wireless host system 110 establishes wireless datacommunication link 150 with wireless display adapter 120, receives EDIDinformation from display 130, and determines the display capabilities ofthe wireless display adapter and the display. Wireless host system 110can determine that a display refresh rate is low compared with the speedat which wireless data communication link 150 can be established, andcan periodically send updated information to wireless display adapter120 as needed or desired, and can turn off the wireless datacommunication link during intervals when the updated information is notbeing sent. Similarly, wireless host system 110 can determine thatsending or retrieving data from storage device 140 only requires a shortduration of data transmission over wireless data communication link 150,and can turn off the wireless data communication link during theintervals when no data is being stored or retrieved. In this way, thepower consumption of wireless host system 110 is reduced as comparedwith a system that maintains a wireless data communication link when nodata is being communicated.

In a particular embodiment, wireless host system 110 determines when theinformation displayed on display 130 is static, or nearly so, such aswhen no high definition multimedia content is being communicated, andwhen no inputs from user interface devices are being received thatnecessitate screen updates. For example, a graphical processing unit ofwireless host system 110 can determine that no direct memory access isbeing made to a video display portion of a memory of the wireless hostsystem. In response, wireless host system 110 can turn off wireless datacommunication link 150. In a particular embodiment, where wireless datacommunication link 150 represents links between multiple datacommunication radios, wireless host system 110 turns off all of theassociated data communication radios. In another embodiment, wirelesshost system 110 turns off a subset of the data communication radioswhile leaving another subset of the data communication radios turned on,as needed or desired. Here for example, one or more data communicationradios that host system 110 and wireless display adapter 120, and tohandle small data transfers or low data rates, and one or more datacommunication radios that have a comparatively higher power consumptioncan be turned on to handle larger data transfers or higher data rates.

In a particular embodiment, when wireless host system 110 is a mobiledevice such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone,the data communication radios can include a PAN. Here, when wirelesshost system 110 is brought within range of the PAN, a predefined setupbetween the wireless host system and wireless display adapter 120 isestablished. For example, upon detecting the presence of a knownwireless host system 110, wireless display adapter 120 can initiate apartial power up of display 130, so that when the wireless host systemsends information to be displayed on the display, the display isprepared to receive the display information. In this way, display 130exhibits an instant-on capability, and a user of wireless host system110 experiences little or no delay in viewing the content. Thepredefined setup can be stored in memories of wireless host system 110and wireless display adapter 120, or can be stored in one andcommunicated to the other via the PAN or one or more of the other datacommunication radios. In another embodiment, wireless host system 110 isin a fixed or semi-fixed location, such as a desktop computer or alaptop computer that has not been recently moved, and the datacommunication radios include a PAN. Here, a mobile device that includesa data communication radio associated with the PAN can be brought withinrange of the PAN, and the predefined setup can be established asdescribed above.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless display network 200,similar to wireless display network 100 and including a host system 210,a display adapter 240, a display 260, and a storage device 270. Hostsystem 210 is connected to display adapter 240 via a wireless datacommunication link, display 240 is connected to the display adapter viaa high definition cable, and storage device 270 is connected to thedisplay adapter via a high speed data cable. Host system 210 includes aprocessor (CPU) 212, a memory 214, a chipset/graphics processing unit(CS/GPU) 216, a high definition audio/video connector (AV) 218, awireless adapter 220, and a local display panel 230. CS/GPU 216 isconnected to CPU 212, to memory 214, to AV 218, to wireless adapter 220,and to local display panel 230. Wireless adapter 220 includes a mediaaccess control (MAC) layer 222, a wireless physical (PHY) layer 224, anantenna 226, and a control module 228. MAC layer 222 is connected toCS/GPU 216 and to PHY layer 224, and the PHY layer is connected toantenna 226. Control module 228 is connected to CS/GPU 216, to MAC layer222, and to PHY layer 224. PHY layer 224 includes data transmissionhardware that provides the electrical interfaces, data handlingprocedures, and broadcast frequencies that define the wireless datacommunication link. In a particular embodiment, PHY layer 224 is inaccordance with the IEEE 802.11ad specification, but PHY layer 224 canbe in accordance with another wireless data communication standard, asneeded or desired.

Display adapter 240 include a MAC layer 242, a PHY layer 244, an antenna246, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) 248, a frame buffer 250, an AV connector252, and a data connector 254. MAC layer 242 is connected to PHY layer244, and the PHY layer is connected to antenna 246. SoC 248 is connectedto MAC layer 242, to frame buffer 250, to AV 252, and to data connector254. PHY layer 244 includes data transmission hardware that provides theelectrical interfaces, data handling procedures, and broadcastfrequencies that correspond to PHY layer 224. Display 260 includes apanel 264 and an EDID module 262 that are connected to AV 252.

In operation, CPU 212 executes code out of memory 214 to perform thevarious functions of host system 210. A graphical processor portion ofCS/GPU 216 operates to receive display information in a form that issuitable for storage by memory 214 and manipulation by CPU 212, and toconvert the display information into one or more of several formats thatare suitable to be provided to various display interfaces. For example,host system 210 can include information related to one or more screenresolutions that are supported by local display panel 230, and CS/GPU216 can convert display information into one of the supported screenresolutions and send the information to the local display panel. Inanother example, host system 210 can be connected to an external displayvia AV 218. If the external display does not have an ability to provideinformation related to one or more screen resolutions that are supportedby the external display, then CS/GPU 216 can be set manually by a userof host system 210, or can be automatically set and a user can providefeedback as to whether the selected screen resolution is suitable. Ifthe external display has the ability to provide information related toone or more screen resolutions that are supported by the externaldisplay, such as by providing EDID information, then CS/GPU 216 canautomatically select a screen resolution. In another example, CS/GPU 216can provide information over a data connection such as a PCIe dataconnection to MAC layer 222, and the MAC layer can format theinformation in a format that is suitable to be communicated by PHY layer224 and antenna 226 to display adapter 240.

A chipset portion of CS/GPU 216 operates to manage and direct the I/Oactivities of host system 210, including providing for the control ofwireless adapter 220. In the illustrated embodiment, control module 228is connected to CS/GPU 216, and the CS/GPU provides control signals tothe control module to implement the control functions described below.In another embodiment, the control functions of control module 228 areaccessed as a portion of control registers implemented in MAC layer 222,and CS/GPU 216 accesses the functions of the control module through thesame data connection as is used by the MAC layer.

Display adapter 240 operates to receive information from host system 210via antenna 246 and PHY layer 244. PHY layer 244 provides theinformation to MAC layer 242 that reformats the information for SoC 248.SoC 248 includes functionality similar to CPU 212 and CS/GPU 216. SoC248 determines if the received information is data that is targeted tostorage device 270, or is display information that is targeted todisplay 260. If the received information is display information, thenSoC 248 provides the information to display 260 to be displayed on panel264. In addition, SoC 248 can store the display information in framebuffer 250. In this way, when the display information is static, ornearly so, display adapter 240 provides a frame refresh function todisplay 260 out of frame buffer 240, so that the need to receive framerefresh information from host system 210 is reduced. SoC 248 alsoreceives EDID information from EDID module 262, and sends the EDIDinformation to host system 210. In a particular embodiment, SoC 248includes an ability to turn off and turn on PHY layer 244, eitherdirectly or through a control register of MAC layer 242, as describedabove.

In a particular embodiment, host system 210 determines when theinformation to be displayed on display 260 is static, or nearly so, andwhen no information is being transferred to or from storage device 270.In response, CS/GPU 216 directs control module 228 to turn off PHY layer224. In another embodiment, CS/GPU 216 writes information to a controlregister in MAC layer 222 and the MAC layer turns off PHY layer 224.When host system 210 determines that the information to be displayed ondisplay 260 needs to be updated, or that information is beingtransferred to or from storage device 270, CS/GPU 216 directs that PHYlayer 224 be turned on, for example by one of the above embodiments, andthe information is transferred between the host system and displayadapter 240. In another embodiment, the data bandwidth of the wirelessdata communication link is very high, and that a turn-on latency of thewireless data communication link is very low. Here, host system 210determines that the frame rate on display 260 is very low in comparisonto the data bandwidth and the turn on latency, and CS/GPU 216 canprovide one or more frames of information in a burst to MAC layer 222,for communication by PHY layer 224 to display adapter 240, and then thePHY layer can be turned off until it is time to send another burst ofone or more frames. In another example, PHY layer 224 can be turned offafter sending one or more lines of a frame.

In a particular embodiment, PHY layer 224 is turned off in a manner thatcompletely disables the wireless data communication link between hostsystem 210 and display adapter 240. In this case, when PHY layer 224 issubsequently powered on, MAC layer 222 and MAC layer 242 willrenegotiate the establishment of the wireless data communication link,including performing any handshaking, negotiating of capabilities, dataexchanges to establish control settings, and other processes as neededor desired to reestablish the wireless data communication link. Inanother embodiment, MAC layer 222 and MAC layer 242 include a stand-bystate where each MAC layer retains the state information associated withthe wireless data communication link to the other MAC layer. In thisway, a small data packet can be transferred between host system 210 anddisplay adapter 240 that resumes the wireless data communication linkfrom the stand-by state to an active state, thereby reducing the timeneeded to turn on PHY layer 224 and PHY layer 244. In anotherembodiment, the entry into the stand-by state can be facilitated by thetransfer of another small data packet the indicates that both PHY layer222 and PHY layer 242 are to be shut down, and that both MAC layer 222and MAC layer 242 are to enter the stand-by state.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for implementing a wireless display networksimilar to wireless display network 200, starting at block 602. A radiolink is established in block 604. For example, PHY layer 224 and PHYlayer 244 can be turned on and MAC layer 222 can associate with MAClayer 242, in order to establish a wireless data communication linkbetween host system 210 and display adapter 240. A decision is made asto whether or not there is data to be transferred over the radio indecision block 606. If so, the YES branch of decision block 606 istaken, the data is transferred in block 608, and the method loops backto decision block 606 until the data transfer is complete. If there isno data to be transferred over the radio, the NO branch of decisionblock 606 is taken, and the radio is turned off in block 610. Forexample, PHY layer 224 and PHY layer 244 can be turned off. Here, thestate information associated with the wireless data communication linkcan be retained or can be lost when PHY layer 224 and PHY layer 244 areturned off. A decision is made as to whether or not there is data to betransferred over the radio in decision block 612. In not, the NO branchof decision block 612 is taken and the method loops back to decisionblock 612 until there is a data transfer to process. If there is data tobe transferred over the radio, the YES branch of decision block 606 istaken, and the method returns to block 604, where the radio link isestablished.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless display network 300,similar to wireless display networks 100 and 200, and including awireless adapter 320 and a display adapter 340. Wireless adapter 320 isconnected to a host system similar to host system 210, and includes MAClayers 322 a, 322 b, and 322 c, wireless PHY layers 324 a, 324 b, and324 c, antennas 326 a, 326 b, and 326 c, and a control module 328. EachMAC layer 322 a-c is connected to a respective PHY layer 324 a-c, andeach PHY layer is connected to a respective antenna 326 a-c. Controlmodule 328 is connected to MAC layers 322 a-c, and to PHY layers 324a-c. Display adapter 340 includes MAC layers 342 a, 342 b, and 342 c,PHY layers 344 a, 344 b, and 344 c, antennas 346 a, 346 b, and 346 c, asystem-on-a-chip (SoC) 348, a frame buffer 350, an AV connector 352, anda data connector 354. Each MAC layer 342 a-c is connected to arespective PHY layer 344 a-c, and each PHY layer is connected to arespective antenna 346 a-c. SoC 348 is connected to MAC layers 342 a-c,to frame buffer 350, to AV 352, and to data connector 354. In aparticular embodiment, PHY layer 324 a and PHY layer 344 a are inaccordance with the IEEE 802.11ad specification, PHY layer 324 b and PHYlayer 344 b are in accordance with the IEEE 802.11n specification, andPHY layer 324 c and PHY layer 344 c are in accordance with the IEEE802.11a/b specification, however PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344a-c can be in accordance with other wireless data communicationstandards, as needed or desired. In a particular embodiment, each of PHYlayers 324 a-c is associated with a common MAC layer, and each of PHYlayers 344 a-c is associated with a common MAC layer. In operation,wireless display network 300 operates similarly to wireless displaynetwork 200.

In a particular embodiment, the host system determines when theinformation to be displayed is nearly static and little information isbeing transferred to or from an external storage device connected todisplay adapter 340. In response, control module 328 turns off one ormore of PHY layers 324 a-c. For example, PHY layer 324 c is illustratedas being turned off. Further, when the host system determines that theinformation to be displayed is static and no information is beingtransferred to or from the external storage device, control module 328turns off all of PHY layers 324 a-c.

FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-mode operation implemented on wirelessdisplay network 300. Each of PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-ccan be turned off, and MAC layers 322 a-c and MAC layers 342 a-c have nostate information related to the associated wireless data communicationlinks. This represents an OFF mode, as illustrated by state 402. Each ofPHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-c can also be turned off, butMAC layers 322 a-c and MAC layers 342 a-c can retain state informationrelated to the associated wireless data communication links. Thisrepresents a stand-by mode, as illustrated by state 404. One or more,but not all, of PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-c can be turnedon, such that information can be transferred between wireless adapter320 and display adapter 340, but where the information transfers do notbenefit from the full available transfer bandwidth. This represents aLOW DATA RATE mode, as illustrated by state 406. Finally, all of PHYlayers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-c can be turned on, such thatinformation transfers are performed at the full available transferbandwidth. This represents a HIGH DATA RATE mode, as illustrated bystate 408.

Here, wireless display network 300 begins in the OFF mode with all ofPHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-c turned off, and MAC layers 322a-c and MAC layers 342 a-c have no state information related to theassociated wireless data communication links in state 402. When arequest is generated either at wireless adapter 320 or at displayadapter 340 to turn on one or more wireless data communication links, aninitial association is done between the respective MAC layers 322 a-cand MAC layers 342 a-c, and wireless display network 300 enters theSTAND-BY mode in state 404. If the display is static, or if there is noI/O activity over any of the wireless data communication links, thenwireless display network 300 turns off PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers344 a-c, and the wireless display network remains in the STAND-BY mode.From state 404, wireless display network 300 enters the LOW DATA RATEmode in state 406 when there is dynamic compressed display informationor low rate I/O activity to be transferred between wireless adapter 320and display adapter 340, a subset of PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers342 a-c are turned on, and the respective MAC layers 322 a-c and MAClayers 342 a-c are reassociated. From state 404, wireless displaynetwork 300 enters the HIGH DATA RATE mode in state 408 when there isdynamic uncompressed display information or high rate I/O activity to betransferred between wireless adapter 320 and display adapter 340, all ofPHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 342 a-c are turned on, and therespective MAC layers 322 a-c and MAC layers 342 a-c are reassociated.

From either state 406 or state 408, wireless display network 300 entersthe STAND-BY mode in state 404 when the display is static, and there isno I/O activity over any of the wireless data communication links, andall of PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 342 a-c are turned off. Fromstate 406, wireless display network 300 enters the HIGH DATA RATE modein state 408 when there is dynamic uncompressed display information orhigh rate I/O activity to be transferred between wireless adapter 320and display adapter 340, and all remaining PHY layers 324 a-c and PHYlayers 342 a-c are turned on. From state 408, wireless display network300 enters the LOW DATA RATE mode in state 406 when there is dynamiccompressed display information or low rate I/O activity to betransferred between wireless adapter 320 and display adapter 340, and asubset of PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 342 a-c are turned off.

In another embodiment, wireless display network 300 turns on some or allof the wireless data communication links and performs the associationsdirectly from state 402 to either state 406 or 408, based upon adetermination that the LOW DATA RATE mode or the HIGH DATA RATE modeshould be entered. It will be understood that the state diagram wasdescribed above with respect to wireless display network 300, but thisis not necessarily so. The skilled artisan will recognize thatadditional states can be applied where different combinations ofwireless data communication links are enabled to suit different powersaving goals or data transfer rates. Moreover, the skilled artisan willrecognize that different elements of wireless display network 300 canimplement different state diagrams, as needed or desired. In anotherembodiment, in addition to the LOW DATA RATE and HIGH DATA RATE modesdescribed above, one or more of PHY layers 324 a-c can operate in two ormore data rate modes, such as a high data rate and a low data rate forthe particular PHY layer.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for implementing a wireless display networksimilar to wireless display network 300, starting at block 622. A radiolink is established in block 624. For example, PHY layer 324 a and PHYlayer 344 a can be turned on and MAC layer 322 a can associate with MAClayer 342 a, in order to establish a wireless data communication linkbetween wireless adapter 320 and display adapter 340. A decision is madeas to whether or not all radios have been turned on in decision block626. If not, the NO branch of decision block 626 is taken and the methodreturns to block 624 where another radio link is established. Forexample, when PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-c are turned onand MAC layers 322 a-c are associated with MAC layers 342 a-c, wirelessdisplay network 300 can enter the STAND-BY mode. If all radios have beenturned, the YES branch of decision block 626 is taken, and a decision ismade as to whether or not there is data to be transferred over theradios in decision block 628. If not, the NO branch of decision block628 is taken, the radios are turned off in block 632, and the methodreturns to decision block 628 to determine if there is data to betransferred over the radios. For example, wireless display network 300can remain in the STAND-BY mode.

If there is data to be transferred over the radios, the YES branch ofdecision block 628 is taken and a decision is made as to whether or notthe data is to be transferred using a low data rate in decision block630. If so, the YES branch of decision block 630 is taken and a subsetof the radios is turned on in block 634. For example, wireless displaynetwork 300 can enter the LOW DATA RATE mode. The data is transferred inblock 638, and the method returns to decision block 628 where a decisionis made as to whether or not there is still data to be transferred overthe radios. If the data is not to be transferred using a low data rate,the NO branch of decision block 630 is taken and all of the radios areturned on in block 636. For example, wireless display network 300 canenter the HIGH DATA RATE mode. The data is transferred in block 638, andthe method returns to decision block 628 where a decision is made as towhether or not there is still data to be transferred over the radios.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless display network 500,similar to wireless display networks 100, 200, and 300, and including awireless adapter 520, a display adapter 540, and a mobile device 580.Wireless adapter 520 is connected to a host system similar to hostsystem 210, and includes MAC layers 522 a and 522 b, wireless PHY layers524 a and 524 b, antennas 526 a and 526 b, and a control module 528.Each MAC layer 522 a-b is connected to a respective PHY layer 524 a-b,and each PHY layer is connected to a respective antenna 526 a-b. Controlmodule 528 is connected to MAC layers 522 a-b, and to PHY layers 524a-b. Display adapter 540 includes MAC layers 542 a and 542 b, PHY layers544 a and 544 b, antennas 546 a and 546 b, a system-on-a-chip (SoC) 548,a frame buffer 550, an AV connector 552, and a data connector 554.Mobile device 580 includes a data communication radio 586.

Each MAC layer 542 a-b is connected to a respective PHY layer 544 a-b,and each PHY layer is connected to a respective antenna 546 a-b. SoC 548is connected to MAC layers 542 a-b, to frame buffer 550, to AV 552, andto data connector 554. In a particular embodiment, PHY layer 524 a andPHY layer 544 a are similar to PHY layers 324 a-c and PHY layers 344 a-cdescribed above. PHY layer 524 b, PHY layer 544 b, and datacommunication radio 586 may be in accordance with the Bluetooth CoreSpecification. However PHY layers 524 a-b, PHY layers 544 a-b, and datacommunication radio 586 can be in accordance with other wireless datacommunication standards, as needed or desired. In a particularembodiment, PHY layer 524 a is associated with a common MAC layer, andPHY layer 544 a is associated with a common MAC layer. In operation,wireless display network 500 operates similarly to wireless displaynetwork 300.

Here, when wireless adapter 520 is brought within range of the PHY layer544 b, a predefined setup between the wireless adapter and displayadapter 540 is established. The predefined setup can be stored in amemory of the host system and display adapter 540, or can be stored inone and communicated to the other via the wireless data communicationlink between PHY layer 524 b and PHY layer 544 b. In another embodiment,wireless adapter 520 is in a fixed or semi-fixed location. Here, mobiledevice 580 can be brought within range of PHY layer 524 b or PHY layer544 b, and the predefined setup can be established as described above.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for implementing a wireless display networksimilar to wireless display network 500, starting at block 642. Adecision is made as to whether or not a PAN enabled device is found indecision block 644. If not, the NO branch of decision block 644 is takenand the method returns to decision block 644 until a PAN enable deviceis found. If a PAN enabled device is found, the YES branch of decisionblock 644 is taken and a radio link is established in block 646. Forexample, mobile device 580 can be brought within range of the PHY layer544 a. A decision is made as to whether or not the device is recognizedin decision block 648. If so, the YES branch of decision block 648 istaken, a predefined set-up is loaded in block 650, and the method endsin block 654. For example, mobile device 580 can be recognized as havingbeen associated with wireless display network 500, and one or both ofwireless adapter 520 and display adapter 540 can provide a predefinedset-up including associations for MAC layer 522 a and MAC layer 542 a.If the device is not recognized, the NO branch of decision block 648 istaken, a set-up is shared in block 652, and the method ends in block654. For example, mobile device 580 can be unrecognized by eitherwireless adapter 520 or display adapter 540, and an association can beestablished such that the mobile device can cause the predefined set-upto happen on wireless display network 500.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an informationhandling system 700, including a processor 710, a chipset 720, a memory730, a graphics interface 740, an input/output (I/O) interface 750, adisk controller 760, a network interface 770, and a disk emulator 780.In a particular embodiment, information handling system 700 is used tocarry out one or more of the methods described herein. In anotherembodiment, one or more of the systems described herein are implementedin the form of information handling system 700.

Chipset 720 is connected to and supports processor 710, allowing theprocessor to execute machine-executable code. In a particular embodiment(not illustrated), information handling system 700 includes one or moreadditional processors, and chipset 720 supports the multiple processors,allowing for simultaneous processing by each of the processors andpermitting the exchange of information among the processors and theother elements of the information handling system. Chipset 720 can beconnected to processor 710 via a unique channel, or via a bus thatshares information among the processor, the chipset, and other elementsof information handling system 700.

Memory 730 is connected to chipset 720. Memory 730 and chipset 720 canbe connected via a unique channel, or via a bus that shares informationamong the chipset, the memory, and other elements of informationhandling system 700. In another embodiment (not illustrated), processor710 is connected to memory 730 via a unique channel. In anotherembodiment (not illustrated), information handling system 700 includesseparate memory dedicated to each of the one or more additionalprocessors. A non-limiting example of memory 730 includes static randomaccess memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), non-volatilerandom access memory (NVRAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory,another type of memory, or any combination thereof.

Graphics interface 740 is connected to chipset 720. Graphics interface740 and chipset 720 can be connected via a unique channel, or via a busthat shares information among the chipset, the graphics interface, andother elements of information handling system 700. Graphics interface740 is connected to a video display 742. Other graphics interfaces (notillustrated) can also be used in addition to graphics interface 740 asneeded or desired. Video display 742 includes one or more types of videodisplays, such as a flat panel display, another type of display device,or any combination thereof.

I/O interface 750 is connected to chipset 720. I/O interface 750 andchipset 720 can be connected via a unique channel, or via a bus thatshares information among the chipset, the I/O interface, and otherelements of information handling system 700. Other I/O interfaces (notillustrated) can also be used in addition to I/O interface 750 as neededor desired. I/O interface 750 is connected via an I/O interface 752 toone or more add-on resources 754. Add-on resource 754 is connected to astorage system 790, and can also include another data storage system, agraphics interface, a network interface card (NIC), a sound/videoprocessing card, another suitable add-on resource or any combinationthereof. I/O interface 750 is also connected via I/O interface 752 toone or more platform fuses 756 and to a wireless adapter 758. Platformfuses 756 function to set or modify the functionality of informationhandling system 700 in hardware. Wireless adapter 758 provides a radiocommunication channel to other wireless enabled devices.

Disk controller 760 is connected to chipset 720. Disk controller 760 andchipset 720 can be connected via a unique channel, or via a bus thatshares information among the chipset, the disk controller, and otherelements of information handling system 700. Other disk controllers (notillustrated) can also be used in addition to disk controller 760 asneeded or desired. Disk controller 760 includes a disk interface 762.Disk controller 760 is connected to one or more disk drives via diskinterface 762. Such disk drives include a hard disk drive (HDD) 764, andan optical disk drive (ODD) 766, and can include one or more disk driveas needed or desired. ODD 766 can include a Read/Write Compact Disk(R/W-CD), a Read/Write Digital Video Disk (R/W-DVD), a Read/Write miniDigital Video Disk (R/W mini-DVD, another type of optical disk drive, orany combination thereof. Additionally, disk controller 760 is connectedto disk emulator 780. Disk emulator 780 permits a solid-state drive 784to be coupled to information handling system 700 via an externalinterface 782. External interface 782 can include industry standardbusses such as USB or IEEE 1394 (Firewire) or proprietary busses, or anycombination thereof. Alternatively, solid-state drive 784 can bedisposed within information handling system 700.

Network interface device 770 is connected to I/O interface 750. Networkinterface 770 and I/O interface 750 can be coupled via a unique channel,or via a bus that shares information among the I/O interface, thenetwork interface, and other elements of information handling system700. Other network interfaces (not illustrated) can also be used inaddition to network interface 770 as needed or desired. Networkinterface 770 can be a network interface card (NIC) disposed withininformation handling system 700, on a main circuit board such as abaseboard, a motherboard, or any combination thereof, integrated ontoanother component such as chipset 720, in another suitable location, orany combination thereof. Network interface 770 includes a networkchannel 772 that provide interfaces between information handling system700 and other devices (not illustrated) that are external to informationhandling system 700. Network interface 770 can also include additionalnetwork channels (not illustrated).

Information handling system 700 includes one or more applicationprograms 732, and Basic Input/Output System and Firmware (BIOS/FW) code734. BIOS/FW code 734 functions to initialize information handlingsystem 700 on power up, to launch an operating system, and to manageinput and output interactions between the operating system and the otherelements of information handling system 700. In a particular embodiment,application programs 732 and BIOS/FW code 734 reside in memory 730, andinclude machine-executable code that is executed by processor 710 toperform various functions of information handling system 700. In anotherembodiment (not illustrated), application programs and BIOS/FW codereside in another storage medium of information handling system 700. Forexample, application programs and BIOS/FW code can reside in HDD 764, ina ROM (not illustrated) associated with information handling system 700,in an option-ROM (not illustrated) associated with various devices ofinformation handling system 700, in storage system 790, in a storagesystem (not illustrated) associated with network channel 772, in anotherstorage medium of information handling system 700, or a combinationthereof. Application programs 732 and BIOS/FW code 734 can each beimplemented as single programs, or as separate programs carrying out thevarious features as described herein.

In the embodiments described herein, an information handling systemincludes any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, oruse any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system can be a personal computer, a consumerelectronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router,wireless router, or other network communication device, a networkconnected device (cellular telephone, tablet device, etc.), or any othersuitable device, and can vary in size, shape, performance, price, andfunctionality. The information handling system can include memory(volatile (e.g. random-access memory, etc.), nonvolatile (read-onlymemory, flash memory etc.) or any combination thereof), one or moreprocessing resources, such as a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics processing unit (GPU), hardware or software control logic, orany combination thereof. Additional components of the informationhandling system can include one or more storage devices, one or morecommunications ports for communicating with external devices, as wellas, various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse,a video/graphic display, or any combination thereof. The informationhandling system can also include one or more buses operable to transmitcommunications between the various hardware components. Portions of aninformation handling system may themselves be considered informationhandling systems.

When referred to as a “device,” a “module,” or the like, the embodimentsdescribed herein can be configured as hardware. For example, a portionof an information handling system device may be hardware such as, forexample, an integrated circuit (such as an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), astructured ASIC, or a device embedded on a larger chip), a card (such asa Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) card, a PCI-express card, aPersonal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card,or other such expansion card), or a system (such as a motherboard, asystem-on-a-chip (SoC), or a stand-alone device). The device or modulecan include software, including firmware embedded at a device, such as aPentium class or PowerPC™ brand processor, or other such device, orsoftware capable of operating a relevant environment of the informationhandling system. The device or module can also include a combination ofthe foregoing examples of hardware or software. Note that an informationhandling system can include an integrated circuit or a board-levelproduct having portions thereof that can also be any combination ofhardware and software.

Devices, modules, resources, or programs that are in communication withone another need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices, modules,resources, or programs that are in communication with one another cancommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailherein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluding code for performing a method, the method comprising:establishing a first wireless data communication link and a secondwireless data communication link between a host system and a wirelessdisplay adapter, wherein the first wireless data communication link isassociated with a first data rate of data traffic between the hostsystem and the wireless display adapter, and the second wireless datacommunication link is associated with a second data rate of data trafficbetween the host system and the wireless display adapter, and whereinthe first data rate is a higher data rate than the second data rate;determining that first information is to be transmitted between the hostsystem and the wireless display adapter using the second data rate;turning off a first data radio associated with the first wireless datacommunication link in response to determining that the first informationis to be transmitted using the second data rate; and transmitting thefirst information over the second wireless data communication link. 2.The computer-readable medium of claim 1, the method further comprising:determining that second information is to be transmitted between thehost system and the wireless display adapter using the first data rate;turning on the first data radio; and transmitting the second informationover the first wireless data communication link.
 3. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein: the second informationcomprises frame data for a display associated with the wireless displayadapter; and the method further comprising turning off the first dataradio after the second information is transmitted.
 4. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 3, the method further comprising:determining by the host system that frame data is static; and whereinturning off the first data radio after the second information istransmitted is in response to determining that the frame data is static.5. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: determining that no information is to be transmitted betweenthe host system and the wireless display adapter; and turning off asecond data radio associated with the second wireless data communicationlink.
 6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, the method furthercomprising: determining that second information is to be transmittedbetween the host system and the wireless display adapter using thesecond data rate; turning on the second data radio; and transmitting thesecond information over the second wireless data communication link 7.The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the second wirelessdata communication link comprises an IEEE 802.11 ad link.
 8. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 1, the method further comprising:retaining an association between the host system and the wirelessdisplay adapter for the first wireless data communication link inresponse to turning off the first data radio.
 9. The computer-readablemedium of claim 1, wherein the first wireless data communication linkfurther provides a first data rate mode and a second data rate mode. 10.A non-transitory computer-readable medium including code for performinga method, the method comprising: establishing a wireless datacommunication link between a host system and a wireless display adapter,wherein the wireless display adapter is coupled to a display;determining whether first information is to be transmitted over thewireless data communication link; transferring the first informationover the wireless data communication link in response to determiningthat the first information is to be transmitted over the wireless datacommunication link; and turning off the wireless data communication linkin response to determining that the first information is not to betransmitted over the wireless data communication link; wherein the firstinformation comprises less than a full frame of data for the display.11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, the method furthercomprising: determining whether second information is to be transmittedover the wireless data communication link; transferring the secondinformation over the wireless data communication link in response todetermining that the second information is to be transmitted over thewireless data communication link; and turning off the wireless datacommunication link in response to transferring the second information.12. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, the method furthercomprising: after turning off the wireless data communication link,determining that second information is to be transmitted over thewireless data communication link; turning on the wireless datacommunication link in response to determining that the secondinformation is to be transmitted over the wireless data communicationlink; transferring the second information over the wireless datacommunication link; and turning off the wireless data communication linkin response to transferring the second information.
 13. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein: the method furthercomprising determining by the host system that frame data is static; andwherein further, turning off the wireless data communication link is inresponse to determining that the frame data is static.
 14. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the wireless datacommunication link comprises an IEEE 802.11ad link.
 15. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 10, the method further comprising:retaining an association between the host system and the wirelessdisplay adapter for the wireless data communication link in response toturning off the wireless data communication link.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including code for performing a method, themethod comprising: establishing a first wireless data communication linkbetween a host system and a mobile device; retrieving, from the mobiledevice, a predefined set-up over the first wireless data communicationlink, wherein the predefined set-up defines a set-up parameter for asecond wireless data communication link between the host system and awireless display adapter, and wherein the wireless display adapter isseparate from the mobile device; applying the predefined set-up to thesecond wireless data communication link in response to retrieving thepredefined set-up; and establishing the second wireless datacommunication link between the host system and the wireless displayadapter in response to applying the predefined set-up.
 17. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein retrieving the predefinedset-up is in response to determining that the mobile device is arecognized device.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, whereinthe first wireless data communication link comprises a personal areanetwork (PAN) link, and the second wireless data communication linkcomprises a wireless local area network (W-LAN) link.
 19. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the PAN link comprises aBluetooth link.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, whereinthe W-LAN link comprises an IEEE 802.11ad link.